One-third (33 per cent) said they found a job in one to six months while only 14 per cent said their job hunt lasted more than a year.

“This goes back to the labour shortage factor in the job market today,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice-president of human resources at CareerBuilder.com. “Employers are struggling to find skilled labour and are recruiting qualified employees before the competition has a chance to do so. Even in a tighter job market, skilled workers re-entering the workforce after a leave of absence can find good opportunities and competitive compensation packages.”

When asked to identify the main challenge in finding a job when they returned to the workforce, 37 per cent of workers reported having to prove themselves all over again while 24 per cent said it was difficult to explain the gap in employment. Twenty per cent pointed to a lack of required skills or education as the main obstacle in finding a job while 18 per cent cited the competition with younger workers. Nine per cent said they perceived a concern amongst employers that they would once again leave the workforce.